Families gather for Ibrox disaster memorial service

It is 40 years on from the crush which killed 66 people

The families of those who died during the Ibrox stadium disaster 40 years ago have taken part in a special memorial service.

They were joined by representatives from Rangers and Celtic football clubs.

At the end of 1971's Old Firm derby on 2 January, 66 people were crushed to death on a stairway leading from the Copland Road end of the ground.

A minute's silence was observed at Sunday's Rangers v Celtic match at Ibrox in which Celtic won 2-0.

Many of the relatives of the 66 who died and the 200 who were injured will remember the events of 40 years ago alongside civic and political leaders.

The special service was held in the corner of the stadium nearest to the exit where the tragedy happened.

At first, it was believed that fans, leaving the ground before the final whistle, had turned back when Rangers' centre-forward Colin Stein scored an equalising goal in the 89th minute.

But a fatal accident inquiry which heard evidence of the position in which the bodies were found, determined all of the victims had been leaving the ground.

At Sunday's game, fans from both sides observed the silence, the two teams wore black arm bands and Rangers wore commemorative shirts with a special badge reading "2nd January, 1971, Always Remembered".

The two captains at the game 40 years ago, John Greig for Rangers and Billy McNeill for Celtic, led out the current Old Firm teams.